I wish to express our sincere gratitude for the warm welcome here in Belgium today. It gives me great pleasure to pay an official visit to Belgium in the very first year of Finnish membership of the European Union. I wish to avail of this opportunity to thank you personally for Belgium's support for Finland during the negotiation process.

Relations between Finland and Belgium have traditionally been good. Both countries are located at geopolitical crossroads on the European map. We are small nations, which have won their independence after hard struggles. There was trade and cultural interaction between Finns and Belgians for centuries. Today we are partners in the European Union which means ever closer ties between us.

Belgium is not only an important trading partner for Finland but is also attracting more and more Finnish investments. Our cultural ties are close. Finland has signed cultural agreements with both Flanders and Wallonia. Since Finland joined the European Union the Belgian people have shown a growing interest in our country, which has resulted in more cultural events this year than ever before. The Finnish language teaching began at the University of Antwerp some weeks ago. We feel that by showing such interest in our country the Belgian people have openheartedly welcomed Finland into the family.

Belgium is a charter member of the European Union, the Western European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Belgium has always advocated deeper integration in Europe, with great success. Together with Belgium, and as a new member of the European Union, Finland is determined to give its contribution to the security and well-being of our common Europe.

Belgium's example have proved to us that even a small country can successfully influence decisions within the Union. Possibilities to contribute to the development of our continent do not only depend on the size of the country, but on other qualities as well. We consider it important that the equal rights of all Member States, big and small, are respected also in the future.

Europe is facing many new challenges. Globalisation has proceeded apace, economic competition has increased, new security concerns have risen to the top of our agenda. In this world of perpetual change it is vital that the European Union has the capablity to promote welfare, stability and security in the whole of Europe. We shall meet these challenges at the Inter-governmental Conference next year and in the process of enlargement which starts thereafter. Projects already started, such as the EMU, have to be completed. An internally and externally stronger Union can only be built on a common political will among the members states. At the same time our institutions must come closer to our citizens and lead us to a more open and democratic Union.

Let me propose a toast to Their Majesties, the King and the Queen of the Belgians, to your health, Prime Minister and Madam Dehaene and to the people of Belgium.